MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing rally falls short

Published on April 25, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities tried to put together a late rally at John O'Donnell Stadium Tuesday night, but came up just short in a 6-5 loss to the Beloit Snappers. Four errors and four wild pitches in a two-inning span proved too much to overcome as the Swing spotted the Snappers three unearned runs.

Quad Cities (9-10) has now committed 41 errors through 19 games on the season, as they continue to straddle the .500 mark.

In a 6-5 game, Matt Wilkerson singled with one out in the ninth to start the comeback try, and Brandon Yarbrough kept it alive with a two-out base knock. Pinch-hitter Wes Swackhamer loaded the bases with a sharp ground ball down the first base line that snuck through the legs of Erik Lis. After a pitching change, however, the Snappers' Jose Lugo ended the threat. A.J. Van Slyke hit a 3-1 pitch on the nose, but right at the first baseman Lis, who fielded the ball cleanly and stepped on the bag to end the game.

The Swing jumped on the Snappers early, taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Daniel Nelson lined a single to right-center to start the rally, and Colby Rasmus drew a walk. On a 2-0 pitch, Wilkerson - hitting third in the order for the first time this season - drove a pitch the other way that hit off the wall for a two-run double.

Beloit would take advantage of a series of Quad Cities miscues to close that gap and secure a lead of their own in the third and fourth innings. With two outs and a runner on third, it looked like the Swing would get out of the inning when Tarrence Patterson bounced a ball to third. Casey Rowlett fielded the ball and threw it across the diamond, but Randy Roth - playing first base for the third time this season - couldn't handle the throw that glanced off his glove and gave the Snappers their first run. Starter Adam Daniels, who had already uncorked two wild pitches on the inning, had a tough time recovering. After allowing a single, Beloit tied the game when his pickoff attempt to first was wild. Lis then hammered a double to right that scored another run and put the Snappers in front, 3-2.

The Swing tied it up on the bottom of the third. Rasmus singled with one out and advanced to second on a wild pitch. The speedy center fielder came home to score three batters later on Yarbrough's bouncing single up the middle.

But in the top of the fourth, more two-out trouble was waiting. With men on the corners Steve Tolleson dumped a two-run double inside the line in right field and went to third on a throwing error by Jose Martinez, whose relay to the plate skipped away during his Swing debut at second base. Tolleson would score on the third of four wild pitches from Daniels, giving Beloit a 6-3 advantage.

Quad Cities scrapped back, scoring single runs in the fourth and the eighth. Nelson drove Van Slyke home with an RBI single in the fourth, and a sacrifice fly by Rowlett in the eighth brought home pinch-runner Calvin Hayes to pull the Swing to within 6-5.

Daniels (1-3) took the loss, issuing four wild pitches and committing an error between the third and fourth innings. He allowed six runs - three earned - on seven hits in five innings of work, while walking one. The southpaw out of Oklahoma State did manage to tie a career high with seven strikeouts, matching the total he put up last season with New Jersey on July 20 against the Auburn DoubleDays.

The Quad Cities bullpen was stellar in relief. Ashley Hooks threw two flawless innings in his Swing debut, and Jeremy Zick fanned two during a pair of his own perfect innings.

Starter Ryan Mullins (1-0) was the winner for Beloit despite allowing four runs on seven hits in six innings of work. Jose Lugo (1) came on to pick up the save, facing only one batter in the ninth.

UP NEXT: The Swing will continue their series with the Beloit Snappers Wednesday night, sending LHP Jaime Garcia (2-1, 2.37) to the mound against RHP Oswaldo Sosa (1-2, 4.50). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30, and pre-game coverage on WKBF AM-1270 will begin at 6:15.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: The Swing of the Quad Cities will close out the month of April with some great promotions. Thursday, April 27 will be a 97 Rock/Pluckers Thirsty Thursday. The first 500 fans through the gates on April 28 will be able to take advantage of a poster giveaway, and April 29 will feature the first fireworks night of the year, sponsored by i-wireless, WOC, and WFXN. The month ends with a Family Fun Day on April 30, complete with clowns, face-painting, and the opportunity for kids to run the bases after the game.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from April 25, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central